Page 25

Mackenzie

The elevator doors close with a soft whisper, leaving us alone in the quiet space. Theo draws me in and his hand slips under the hem of my dress, fingers dancing along the lace edge of my underwear. A low chuckle rumbles from his chest as he murmurs against my ear, “You’re always so wet for me.”

Heat floods my cheeks, but it isn’t just embarrassment. It’s desire, pure and raw. I press closer, craving his touch, the hunger in his kisses. His lips crash against mine with a possessiveness that lights a fire within me, aggressive and hot.

“Penthouse,” the elevator announces.

Theo breaks away, his blue eyes searching mine. “Levi?” he asks.

“He’s with Dad tonight,” I assure him, catching my breath. “He’ll be back in the morning.”

Theo’s grip on my hand is firm as he leads me out of the elevator and up the hallway toward his room. But as we near the door, I dig in my heels. “I don’t want to go in there tonight,” I tell him, a flare of defiance in my voice. “Where all the other women have been.”

I tug at his hand, redirecting us to the guest room. My room. The space where no ghosts of his past lovers linger. “Here,” I insist, pulling him across the threshold. “This is where I want you.”

Buttons pop and fabric tears in a frenzy of hands and haste. Our clothes become casualties, strewn across the floor. Soon, Theo stands before me, a statue of desire chiseled from flesh and power. His chest rises and falls with each breath, his gaze unyielding. He reaches for his pants on the ground and pulls out a condom, placing it on the bedside table.

“Only one?”

He chuckles. “I can get more.”

Suddenly, I become self-conscious, crossing my arms to hide myself.

“Don’t,” he says, voice husky as he steps closer, naked and unabashed. “And you don’t have to worry. I never bring women home. You’re the only one who’s been here.”

Memories of our first time so many years ago flood my mind, the nervous tremors, the tentative touches. It was here, in this room.

Leaning down, his lips find mine, and this kiss is a stark contrast to the enthusiasm of our undressing. It’s slow, deliberate, a dance of tongues and soft sighs that stirs the air between us.

“It’s only been you,” he murmurs against my mouth, sealing the truth of his words with another tender press of his lips. “Ever.”

The urge to worship him surges within me. I attempt to slide to my knees, to repay him for last night’s climax. But he stops me.

“No.” A smile plays on his lips. “Tonight is special.”

His refusal sends a thrill through me, anticipation building in my core. If he wants tonight to be something special, I’ll follow his lead, into the wild, unforgettable world we create when we’re together.

Theo’s hands cradle my head as he lowers me onto the bed. His lips brand every inch of my skin. I clench the sheets, the crisp linen anchoring my spiraling senses. He explores my body, teasing, caressing, and exciting me.

“Mackenzie,” he breathes, his eyes reflecting a heat that could scorch the world. “You’re beautiful.”

“Then let’s do this,” I challenge. “Finish what you started or—”

He chuckles and reaches for the condom. But I’m too eager to wait. I take it from his hand, quickly tearing the foil and sliding it on him.

Theo enters me slowly, and I’m lost. He fills me, snug and unyielding. When he halts, granting me a second to adjust, I shake my head, begging him not to stop.

“Please…” I whisper.

He begins to move again, a rhythm slow and deliberate. His fingers find my clit, circling with a precision that sends shockwaves through me. Each thrust pushes deeper, the head of his cock stroking that secret place inside that takes me right up to the cliff’s edge. The buildup is relentless, a crescendo that spirals even higher.

It doesn’t take long before the pressure peaks and shatters. Stars explode behind my eyelids. Theo’s name escapes in a breathless gasp as I crest over the edge, and he follows suit, his own release chasing mine into oblivion.

His arm weaves around my waist, pulling me to his chest. The room is silent, save for our synchronized breathing, and I can feel the steady beat of his heart against my back. He presses a kiss to my shoulder.

“You’re the only woman who’s been in this house,” he murmurs again, the words vibrating against my skin.

I tilt my head, meeting his gaze with a skeptical arch of my eyebrow. “What about your interior designer?” I challenge, unable to resist teasing him, even now.

He chuckles. “She was more interested in the office, public places…and her place.”

I shake my head, amused and exasperated.

“Give me twenty minutes,” Theo whispers against my ear, “and I’ll be ready to go again.”

I close my eyes, surrendering to the warmth of his embrace.

Hours later, I fall asleep in Theo’s arms, peaceful until I open my eyes to see a small figure. Reality hits like a splash of cold water. Levi stands in the doorway, wide-eyed and innocent, unaware that Theo and I are both naked below the sheets.

Theo, always quick to respond, sits up with the sheets gathered at his waist. He runs a hand through his hair like he’s been up for hours. “Hey, buddy. Did you have a fun sleepover?”

Levi nods. “Yeah! Dad got baseball gloves and a ball! We’re going to get breakfast and then head to the park.”

I manage a smile. “That sounds like a blast.” I slide out of bed, pulling on a T-shirt to cover myself and trying to act casual. “I’ll grab a quick shower and be right down.”

Levi tears out of the room.

Theo watches me with a look I can’t quite read. There’s something in his eyes—understanding, maybe a flicker of regret. I leave the room, his gaze heavy on my back.

As soon as the shower starts and steam rises around me, I let out a long breath. The hot water pours over my back, but it can’t rinse away the guilt. I should’ve woken up and asked Theo to go back to his room. I should’ve drawn a line, not just for me, but for Levi. He’s too young to understand what happened last night, but that doesn’t make it okay. I’ve always wanted to be someone he looks up to, someone who leads by example. And waking up tangled in Theo’s arms with Levi standing in the doorway? That’s not the example I want to set.

I turn off the water and step onto the cool tile, wrapping a towel around myself as I reach for my hairbrush. My thoughts are still spinning when I spot something on the bathroom counter—a cappuccino, perfectly made, with steam curling gently from the top. My heart skips a beat. Theo. A quiet gesture. Maybe a peace offering. His way of saying, I see you .

Despite the swirl of emotion, a smile tugs at my lips.

I get dressed quickly—jeans and a soft sweater, keeping it simple. Today is about Levi. No makeup, no extras. Just me.

The smell of fresh coffee and maple syrup leads me downstairs. I stop at the bottom of the steps and watch for a moment.

Theo and Dad are sitting at the kitchen table with Levi, talking quietly about pancakes and baseball.

“Right there by the big oak tree,” Theo says, pointing. “That’s the perfect spot for a game.”

Dad nods, smiling a little. “Sounds good. Kid’s got a great arm. Let’s see what he can do.”

This is what Levi deserves. Two men in his life who care about him, who show up, who talk about playing in the park and where to get the best pancakes. But how long will it last? Is it safe to trust either of them?

Then Theo looks up and sees me. His face softens, and he opens his arms like he’s ready to hug me, so natural, like it’s the easiest thing in the world.

But I don’t move, feeling unsure again about everything. When I finally jolt myself forward, I skirt around Theo and sit down on a barstool next to Levi.

Theo’s smile fades. He looks a little confused, but he doesn’t say anything.

Levi pulls on Dad’s arm. “Come on! I wanna show you my room.”

Dad laughs and lets Levi drag him away. “Okay, okay, I’m coming!”

Their happy voices trail off as they leave the room, and then it’s just Theo and me. I should say something. I know I should. But I don’t.

Instead, I pour syrup over Levi’s pancake. He hasn’t touched it.

The quiet stretches between us. I try to push down the tight feeling in my chest, but it raises fast and sharp. Being present in the moment no longer works because this moment is anxious and uncomfortable. “Why didn’t you leave last night?” I whisper. “Levi saw us together.”

Theo frowns, and annoyance flashes across his face. “It’s not a big deal,” he says with a shrug.

I let out a dry laugh. “Not a big deal? Levi’s eight. He gets attached. And you…” I stop, my hands curling into fists. “You move on too quickly.”

His jaw tightens. “You’re making it sound worse than it is.”

“Am I?” I ask. “You know how you are. I don’t want Levi thinking this is something real…something that’s going to last.”

Theo sighs and rubs the back of his neck. When he looks at me again, the fight in his eyes fades. “I’m not some heartless guy,” he says quietly. “I care about you. I care about Levi. I’d never do anything to hurt either of you.”

My heart aches. I want to believe him. But the past has taught me to be careful. “I’m seeing other people,” I blurt out before I can stop myself, as if the lie will somehow create a barrier.

“And when do you find time for that?” he asks after a moment.

I open my mouth to answer, but no words come. I don’t owe Theo an explanation, but the way he’s looking at me, like he’s trying to figure me out, leaves me stuck.

Before I can think of what to say, Dad and Levi return to the kitchen, talking about pancakes and baseball again.

Theo stands, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Go have fun today,” he says. “I’ll meet you this afternoon to go to the Sullivans’ house.” His voice sounds normal, easy even, but I notice how stiff his shoulders are. His eyes stay on me a second too long before he turns to go.

Did I make a mistake? I remind myself to stay in the moment, not think too far into the future. Because nothing’s guaranteed. I’m keeping it light between us. Theo, of all people, should understand that.

I take one last look at the doorway where he’s disappeared. Then I lift my chin, square my shoulders, and turn toward what’s next.

After a busy day of baseball and errands, we’re off to the Sullivans’ to watch the Prospectors game. I hope it won’t be awkward since there was some tension between Theo and me this morning. I’m only going because Caroline invited me, and I already told her I would.

Scott drops us off, and Theo holds the door open for the rest of us—Levi and me and my dad, who surprised me by agreeing to come along as well.

“Hey, Mackenzie! Theo!” Caroline says with a big smile. She’s wearing cute Prospectors clothes from head to toe for game day. “Glad you could make it!”

“Thanks for having us,” I say.

Levi doesn’t wait to be reintroduced. He runs downstairs, following the sound of kids laughing. I watch him go, keeping one eye on him like always.

“Caroline, this is my dad, Gordon Davis,” I tell her.

Caroline shakes his hand and gives him a friendly kiss on the cheek. “Welcome,” she says.

“Is that Gordon Davis?” a woman asks as she comes up next to Caroline. She studies my dad. “CEO of Monarch Pictures, right?”

“Guilty as charged,” Dad says with a laugh, shaking her hand. “And you are?”

“Jasmine,” she says. She holds his hand a little too long. “I’m an actress.”

I quietly step away as Jasmine starts talking to my dad, likely doing her best to impress him. No thanks.

Dillon Healy from SHN pulls Theo downstairs with a promise of a small-batch whiskey, so I head into the living room. The game is already on, and lively conversation fills the space while TVs show the action from every angle.

I sit next to Caroline, who’s surrounded by a group of stylish women. They’re chatting as much as they’re watching any sports. The big topic is Caroline’s new makeup line, which is actually pretty interesting. I had no idea she was CEO of Metro Composition. They make my favorite cosmetics.

“Hey, you’re Theo’s plus one, right?” a woman named Lilly asks, turning to me with a curious look. “How long have you two been together?”

“Oh, well, mostly we just work at the same company,” I tell her. That’s not entirely true, but it’s easier. I don’t want to talk about my life with people I don’t know. And Theo could be with someone else next time they see him anyway.

“Work romance, how exciting!” Lilly says with a giggle.

She clearly doesn’t believe me, but she also doesn’t keep asking, so I consider the matter closed and turn back to the game.

A caterer appears and tells Caroline the food is ready. She laughs and signals us to get to the dining room before the guys do, or they’ll eat everything.

I grab a plate and pile on tortillas. There’s guacamole, colorful veggies, and hot meat all spread out across the counter. It looks amazing.

True to form, the guys soon materialize out of nowhere. Theo gives me a nod as he makes his own huge plate.

“Best tacos in town,” he jokes.

“Definitely,” I say, saluting him with one of mine on the way to my mouth.

With food in hand, we all sit on the big leather couches and watch the game. Everyone’s shouting and cheering, caught up in the excitement.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Prospectors win, and the whole room explodes with cheers. We high five and laugh and continue snacking on the food. It’s heading toward dark outside now, but none of us wants to leave.

“I think it’s time to go,” my dad says a little while later when he catches my eye from across the room.

He’s probably right. Don’t want to keep Levi out too late. As we say our goodbyes, Caroline pulls me in for a hug and whispers in my ear, “You and Theo are good for each other.”

I smile. What do I say to that?

The four of us walk to the car. The air has turned cold, and Levi is clearly tired. He’s had fun with the older kids, and I know he’ll have lots to tell me about all of this tomorrow when he’s more awake.

Scott says he’ll take us to my dad’s hotel to drop him off first, and Levi leans against me in the backseat. His breathing slows, and he rests his head on my shoulder like he used to when he was little. His warmth is comforting.

Dad gives us a soft smile. “Thanks for being there for Levi. I know it’s a lot.”

I smile back and gently rest my head on Levi’s. “I love Levi. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

For once, Dad doesn’t push back. He just nods. As we drive, the car is quiet except for the hum of the road. Wrapped in a seatbelt and love, we ride through the night, safe together.